Monday, March 30, 2015

A.D. THE BIBLE CONTINUES: THE BOOK OF ACTS

* * * I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for my fair and honest review. * * *
 
“A man was crucified for all the wrong reasons.”

But where would we be without the cross?  Taking the crucifixion as a starting point, Dr. David Jeremiah provides a keepsake commentary on the 2-Volume history of the Christian Church, as compiled by Dr. Luke, a follower of Jesus Christ and frequent companion of the Apostle Paul.

Dr. Luke was not an eyewitness to the events of Jesus’ life, as far as we know.  He used his intelligence and credentials as a physician to gather, sift through, and organize the vast amounts of material that was already being circulated amongst the early church by the followers of Jesus to compile his work.  His education and training eminently prepared him for this monumental task.  Seriously . . . how DOES one pick and choose the most appropriate, the most important, the most crucial remembrances of the Greatest Life that was ever lived, to preserve for posterity?

Dr. David Jeremiah has always been one of my favorite authors, because of  his gracious demeanor coupled with a refreshing refusal to compromise.  He speaks the truth in love . . . but by all means, he speaks the truth.  This slender volume (it’s only 177, 7.5 X 4.25 inch pages) contains one of the most comprehensive and cohesive outlines of the book of Acts that I’ve come across.  Dr. Jeremiah’s scholarship, coupled with his story-telling ability, make reading this volume a welcome experience.  And the reader is going to learn, without even realizing it!

The advantages already expounded, by themselves, would make this a welcome addition to one’s library at any cost.  Add to this twenty articles by Dr. Jeremiah, highlighting the key players and themes in the Book of Acts, stunning full-color photographs from the exotic locations where A.D.  The Bible Continues was filmed, and spectacular moments created by Emmy Award-winning executive producers Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, and you have a volume that cannot be measured in terms of monetary consideration.

One criticism that  I might offer would be the typeset.  The font is rather small, and the brown type set against the cream-colored pages does not provide enough contrast for my taste.  However, I’m not going to take points off for that one technical aspect of this otherwise excellent work by Dr. David Jeremiah and Tyndale Publishers.

5 stars for one of the best one-volume commentaries on the Book of Acts I’ve come across!

A.D.   THE BIBLE CONTINUES:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
With Notes and Insights From Dr. David Jeremiah
ISBN  978-1-4964-0718-4
Religious / General
Tyndale
$15.99 hardback w/ jacket



Wednesday, March 25, 2015

EASTER STORIES: CLASSIC TALES FOR THE HOLY SEASON!

Don’t tell me that the publishing houses cannot produce a quality softcover book . . . I’m holding one in my hand!

Seriously, the first thing that impressed me about this book was the quality of the binding, even before I started reading.  The craftsmanship that went into this book is just another bonus to an already superb literary work.

This collection of stories from the masters is a thought-provoking, challenging, and uplifting adventure in prose and poetry, all with one aim in mind:  to lift Him up! 

They’ve succeeded.

This is a short review, because to cover every contribution to this anthology would make for a rather lengthy one.  Which would keep you from diving in and relishing the offerings from some of the world’s finest literary minds.

So please, don’t let me stop you.  Get in there!  The crown jewels have nothing on this book!

5 stars for a collection of timeless treasures!


EASTER STORIES:  Classic Tales For The Holy Season
C.S. Lewis, Leo Tolstoy, et. al.
978-0-87486-598-1
Easter / Literary Collections
Plough Publishing House
373 pages
$18.00 U.S. Softcover

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

THE IMPOSSIBLE RACE . . . THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME, IN A LIFETIME OF CHANCE!


Every year the futuristic school, Cragbridge Hall, holds its most popular tournament: The Impossible Race, a series of challenges that require the use of the school's amazing inventions, like its holographic time machine. But this year is different. Rather than a monetary or academic award, this year's winner will be the recipient of a carefully guarded school secret, a secret that could prove both powerful and dangerous.


Afraid that the secret may be one of their Grandfather's inventions, Abby and Derick gather their friends and enroll in the contest. But when Derick gets a mysterious message from the future, the team of friends must figure out how to succeed even when they know they are destined to fail. The stakes have never been higher in this page-turning, time-travel adventure that teaches powerful lessons about choice and consequence, believing in yourself, and valuing the lessons of history.

This is Book Three of the Cragbridge Hall series by author Chad Morris.  To celebrate the release, Shadow Mountain Press is offering Book OneThe Inventor’s Secret, for $1.99 through March 17th.  Click on the link below to take advantage of this special offer!  
http://www.amazon.com/Cragbridge-Hall-Book-One-Inventors-ebook/dp/B00BPFM1VA/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-2&qid=1425501198

Author CHAD MORRIS would love to be able to control animal avatars, see history in 3D, and show everyone how he imagines stories. Since the inventions that would make that possible currently exist only in his imagination, he settles for reading, writing, playing basketball, rappelling down an occasional slot canyon, dating his wife, and hanging out with his five awesome kids in his home state of Utah.